Phillip Odd Fredrickson
Phillip Odd Fredrickson was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 8, 1928, to Swedish/Norwegian immigrant parents, Andreas Peder (Per) and lngeborg Hagen Fredriksen. The family briefly moved back to Norway when Phil was 3, but then returned to Michigan. Following graduation from Cooley High School in 1946, Phil signed up for a 4-year hitch in the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Sierra, a destroyer tender off the coast of Japan after WWII. In 1949, he married Joan Bradley, sharing 58 wonderful years together until her passing in 2008. Phil studied electrical engineering at the Lawrence Institute of Technology and was hired into General Motors’ Research Technology Center. In 1961, Phil and Joan packed up sons Mark, David, and Ken and joined the wave of 200 employee transfers out to GM’s Defense Research Lab in Goleta, California. Their fourth son, Jim joined the family soon after. Throughout Phil’s 30+ year career with GM, he enjoyed participating in projects ranging from the Firebird gas turbine engine, to the 1970’s Lunar rover soil samplings, and even monitoring Russian submarine activity while billeted for 3 months on Fletcher Ice Island where he experienced temperatures of minus 60 degrees.
Phil and Joan were active members of Santa Barbara Community Church and enjoyed leading and attending numerous community Bible studies, including Joan’s Honeycomb series. Their boys were raised in a loving, God-honoring, and sporty home. Phil rarely missed a son’s game, and often coached their baseball teams. His time to play came later in retirement when he enjoyed many years at first base in a local senior softball league. Travel, woodworking, and card games were highlights into his 70’s. As the extended family grew, we cherished his BBQ skills, spa lifeguarding, riding the bull on the Salmon river, and his love for Norwegian brown cheese. However, we will greatly miss his instigations to In-and-Out, and his lifetime GM employee car discount.
On September 26th, 2020, Phil was promoted to heaven to finally see Jesus, the One to Whom he committed his life at the age of 20. That decision forever changed his heart, his purpose, and direction in life, and our family is eternally grateful for his leadership and influence to follow Christ. Phil is survived by his brother, Harold Fredriksen of Monterey and sister, Signy Johnson of Santa Barbara, children Mark (Becky) of Goleta, Dave (Mia) of Stephenville, TX, Ken (Dawn) of Ballard, and Jim of Santa Maria, along with 16 adored grandchildren and 5 sweet great grandchildren. All well prayed over! He is predeceased by his parents, beloved wife, and sister, Margaret Murray.
We would also like to gratefully acknowledge the wonderful support which the Covenant Living at the Samarkand community and caregivers provided in Phil’s later years.
A private family graveside service with military honors is planned at Goleta Cemetery. Donations to honor his memory may be made to Santa Barbara Community Church (Missions), or Santa Barbara Rescue Mission.